Politicians get more responsibility for foreign affairs

| 14/03/2014

(CNS): The premier and three other Cabinet ministers have been given new responsibilities relating to relevant areas of external affairs, government officials confirmed Friday. As set down in the constitution, Governor Helen Kilpatrick has agreed to delegate certain responsibility to the politicians relating to various overseas affairs. While this does not allow the ministers to sign treaties without first getting permission from the United Kingdom, they will be able to make decisions and policy in their relevant fields that may involve foreign affairs. Section 55 subsection (4) of the 2009 Cayman Islands Constitution gives the governor the power to delegate responsibility to the premier and ministers to handle certain regional and international affairs.

“This is in keeping with the general delegation under the 2009 Constitution of all matters of policy formulation and implementation to the elected government except for the areas of special responsibility, which remain with the governor,” a release from the premier’s office stated. 

Premier Alden McLaughlin has been assigned responsibility for the Caribbean Community, the Association of Caribbean States, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, or any other Caribbean regional organisation or institution; other Caribbean regional affairs relating specifically to issues that are of interest to or affect the Cayman Islands; and European Union matters directly affecting the Cayman Islands. 

The Cabinet Office will coordinate the areas of external affairs delegated to the premier.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell has been given responsibility for external affairs with respect to tourism and tourism-related matters, though these were not specified.

Finance Minister Marco Archer will now have responsibility for external affairs relating to taxation, and Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton will now deal with all external affairs with respect to the regulation of finance and financial services.

Under the Constitution, the ministers must keep the governor informed of any activities relating to external affairs responsibilities and any costs associated with those activities that will be paid for by the government.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Politics

About the Author ()

Comments (20)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. anonymous says:

    Lol …. it's coming.

    By the time all the back door deals and stealthily added areas of responsibility are introduced, you won't have time to even consider a referendum.

    pour myself another gin, sit back and smile gently.

    • And Another Ting says:

      This is the payback people for ousting the first Premier. This is the beginning of the process agreed to for the next step to Independence . They have told the UK that they must first understand that they are the ones who modified the Constitution and therefore are chosen ones and have the right to lead cayman into gradual independence. This move does not come gratuitously from Her Excellency the Guv, but rather from back door pleading and orchestrated by the PPM foreign handlers, mark these words they are not speculative.

      Beware of Persons Preparing Meals (PPM) ha!.

      • Anonymous says:

        SOMEBODY had to oust the WORST Premier and it was for love of country not for independence you special kind of fool! What a laugh you are!

        • And Another Ting says:

          Yeah and who made you so privy to the goodness of the a PPM are you too in bed with them. He who laughs last laughs best, just you wait , old fool, just you wait 16:59

        • Anonymous says:

          Alden is not too far from being worst than Big Mac. At least with Big Mac you knew what was going on most of the time. Whats up with PPM and their transparent government? I can tell you that they for sure do not have the love of country at heart.

          • Anonymous says:

            Not even close. Call me when the premier gets arrested on corruption charges, or proposes am expat tax.

      • Anonymous says:

        ROTFL! What a moron. This was always contemplated in the 2009 Constitution and this should definitely happen if Cayman is to prepare itself for Independence which we may be forced into some day. Wasn't it your 'esteemed' leader who was saying we should go Independent? This is something we should be celebrating! I never cease to be amazed by the negativity and stupidity that are evident in so many posts on CNS.      

  2. Anonymous says:

    here come the free holidays

  3. Anonymous says:

    Well there you have it. The UK is clearly not overly concerned with good management of this territory and is actively engaged in plotting our demise.

    We need LESS power for our politicians.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Why are we not concerne with conflits of ointerest in this coalition government, never before have there  been so numerous and obvious. Moses in charge  of Cayman Airways and Toursm when all his buiness intrest will  benfet directly from increased jet flights to Cayman Brac at Cayman taxpayers expense.Want to bet they have already been inreased and will be inreased even more.

    What tentacles has Wayne Panton retained in the financial indstry for whiich he is now responible. 

  5. Anonymous says:

    The politicians should prove that they are capable of handling internal affairs before they branch out to external affairs.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Why on earth would the UK he so stupid?

    • Anonymous says:

      Because the governor wouldn't really "fit in" at those gatherings.

      • Anonymous says:

        I always thought that we the Caymanians were responsible for all affairs touching Cayman?- bothinternal and external. Why is Mrs Governor telling us what is obvious in the first place ?

        • Anonymous says:

          "we the Caymanians", cannot even understand your own history and the political system here…why don't you go the the library and look it up, or ask a grown up?

        • Anonymous says:

          That may explain a thing or two.

        • And Another Ting says:

          That statement by 09:38 is the reason why we should be teaching our children theCayman a Islands Constituion. We are a colony bobo, the Uk is our mother and we are now able to talk and discuss matters but  the final approval must come from ya Mama England capish.